District custodians all receive layoff notices

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73, the labor union representing the full- and part-time custodians, is currently negotiating with the Kirby School District 140 to renew the contract to avoid outsourcing of the positions, the story stated.

The custodians, who earn between $10.50 and $20 an hour, have already agreed to take a wage freeze for the next three years to protect their jobs, the story noted.

Kirby School District 140 Superintendent Michael Byrne said: "It''s a matter of being prudent if there''s money to be saved. We don''t want to see our people out of work, but it''s all about the dollars and cents at this point. Our obligation is to the people paying taxes."

The layoff notices were sent as part of the legal requirement to give the employees 90 days warning in the case negotiations between both parties are fruitless, the story added.